Western Cape Tourism calls on local travellers to support tourism sector during ‘winter low-season’

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Despite being in our annual ‘winter low-season’, the Western Cape’s tourism statistics continue to show a recovery, when compared to the same month in 2019. This is however at slower rates when compared to our summer peak months.

The findings are included in Wesgro’s June 2022 report, which is a monthly publication providing valuable insights into tourist arrivals and trends in the Western Cape.

Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger said: “During our quieter winter low-season our message to residents in the province, and South Africans across the country, is to get out and travel the length and breadth of our beautiful province so that we support this wonderful sector. There are so many good winter deals on offer, and of course, so much to see and experience in the Western Cape.”

Minister Wenger continued: “It is also recommended that the tourism and hospitality sector use this time to prepare for the projected growth in visitors that are expected from the end of the year. Maintaining our service levels will ensure that the province remains a “return” tourism destination, with visitors coming back again in the future.”

Key findings for June 2022 include:

• In June 2022, passengers through Cape Town International Airport’s international terminal reached a recovery rate of 73% when compared to the same month in 2019.
• Domestic recovery slowed to 62% in June after remaining on 70-80% recovery since the start of the year.
• Passengers through George Airport maintained a recovery rate of 86% when compared to the same month in 2019.
• The UK ranked as the top source market to Cape Town (via Air), followed by Germany, USA, Netherlands and France.
• Hotel occupancy for the Western Cape stood at 41,4% in June 2022, representing a recovery rate of 82% when compared to 2019.
• Shopping and markets were the most popular type of attraction visited by both domestic and international tourists. Prominent shopping points included the V&A Waterfront, Willowbridge, Tygervalley, and Hermanus Market Square.
• The top 5 highest year-on-year growth rates were recorded for Shipwreck Museum (+1758%), Robben Island (+347%), Cango Caves (+267%), Table Mountain: Boulders (+206%), and Table Mountain: Aerial Cableway (+205%).
  

The noticeable dip in the domestic arrival recovery rate is due in part to our historic low season but can also be explained by the shortage of seats on domestic routes due to the liquidation of ComAir, which had an impact over this period. The Cape Town Air Access team, within Wesgro, expect the market to rectify in the coming months with increased supply by the summer season.

Wesgro CEO, Wrenelle Stander, said: “We’re starting to see green shoots and remain positive that the Western Cape will see a very strong recovery this year. The province’s tourism sector is among the industries that are leading the post Covid-19 economic recovery. It’s encouraging to witness the sector being restored to its pre-pandemic pinnacle, and in some areas, exceeding previous levels. It’s also encouraging to see that the UK remains the top source market for tourism into the province after reaching an impressive 98% recovery in April 2022 when compared to the same month in 2019.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of Tourism, Republic of South Africa.